Stamp dispensing machine



Dec. 2, 1941. H. c. STEARNS 2,264,647

STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 MEEY C.Jrs/ie/vs .Z NVENTOE 1941- H. c. STEARNS STAMP DISPENSING MACHINE FiledFeb. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N VEN 7'02 fihkkv C. J'TEAKNJ 47-1- NE r-Patented Dec. 2, 1941 mason STAMP pIsrE-NsING MACHINE Harry G. Stearns,Chicago, lll., assignor to The National Postal Distributing Company,Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Application February 24,1940, Serial No. 320,590

16 Claims.

adapt the machine for dispensing stamps of different denominations andin varying quantities.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter disclosed comprising.

a base member having a plurality of guideways therein, each adapted toremovably receive a composite stamp dispensing unit, said units beingadapted to dispense stamps'of different denominations, and all of saidunits being substantially alike in construction, whereby when one ofsaid units has been emptied, another loaded unit may readily besubstituted therefor, without materially delaying the "operation of themachine.

A further object is to provide a stamp dispensing machine comprising asuitable base member having a plurality of guideways therein, eachadapted to removably receive a dispensing unit, and said base beingprovided with a plurality of electric circuits, one for each dispensingunit, and each circuit having a pair of exposed contacts adapted to beengaged by'contacts carried by the units, thereby to electricallyconnect the dispensing units to their respective circuits, when mountedon the base, and all of said circuits having means whereby they may beconnected to a control unit by a flexible cable, said control unitcomprising a single control member and a selector switch for selectivelyconnecting the control unit to a selected stamp dispensing unit, andwhereby an operator or attendant stationed remote from the dispensingmachine may readily control the operation of the dispensing units.

Other objects of the invention reside in the unique construction of-thebase member, and the in the provision of a stamp dispensing machinecomprising a plurality of composite stamp dispensing units of likestructure, which units are very small and compact in size, wherebyseveral such units may be mounted on a single base to provide a. machinecapable of dispensing stamps of several difierent denominations; in theunitary construction of the control unit, whereby it may be constructedindependently of the dispensing machine, said control unit have anelectric cable provided at one end with a suitable receptacle or fittingfor electrically connecting the cable to the circuits of the dispensingunits, whereby the machine may be operated from a point remotetherefrom; and in the provision of means for locking the enclosingcasing against removal from the base, when the control unit is electri-'cally connected to the machine.

otherobjects .of the invention will appear from the followingdescriptions and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed claims. V I

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exact featuresshown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an outside view of my improved dispensing machine, showingit operatively connected to the control unit.

Figure 2 is a front view of the dispensing machine showing the slots oropenings in the wall of the casing, through which the stamps areejected;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the control unit;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through one of the dispensingunits, showing the feed roll driving means in normal position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing parts of the feed roll drivingmeans in the positions assumed when the solenoid is energized to operatethe feed roll;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing the means for moving the feedroll locking member out of locking engagement with the feed roll;

Figure '7 is a plan view of the base member showing the guidewaystherein and one of the dispensing units removed therefrom;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the dispensingmachine showing the electrical connections between the circuits in thebase member and the dispensing units;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 88 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the control member circuit closureand itsassociated parts;

Figure 11 is a wiring diagram; and

Figure 12 is. a bottom view of the machine,

showing a means for locking the casing to. the

base. 1

- GENERAL The stamp dispensing machine herein disclosed, comprisesbriefly, a stamp dispensing machine, generally indicated by the numeral2, and

a control unit, generally indicated by the numeral 3. The control unithas a flexible cable, indicated by the numeral 4; provided at one endwith 'a connecting plug 5, whereby the cable 4 may be electricallyconnected to the circuits within the base of the dispensing machine, aswill subsequently be described. The control unit 3 has an electricconductor 6 provided with a plug 1 for- 'electrically, .connecting thecontrol unit 'to a suitable supply circuit, not shown.

Base member and casing The base member and casing is best shown 'in byflexible contacts provided on the dispensing units. The machine, asherein disclosed, is shown comprising five stamp dispensing units 10,and the base is therefore provided with five guideways, one for eachdispensing unit. As shown in Figure '7, the contacts ll of each guidewayare electrically connected together to a common wire l3 which, in turn,has a wire l4 connecting it to a contact or connecting post-l5,projecting outwardly from the base, as best. illustrated in Figure '7.The contacts I! of the guideways are connected by a plurality of wiresl6, to a plurality of contacts l1, l8, I8, .28, and 2|, respectively, asbest shown in Figure 11. The contacts H to 2|, inclusive, are adapted tobe connected to the connecting plug 5, shown in Figure 1, thereby tooperatively connect the dispensing machine 2, to the control unit 3.

A suitable -casing, generally designated by the numeral 22, is adaptedto be fitted over the base 2, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 8, toprovide a closure for the dispensing units Ill. The casing 22 may beprovided with a suitable carrying handle 23, and has means for suitablysecuring it to the base 8, whereby the dispensing machine, exclusive ofthe control unit 3, may be conveniently carried about from place toplace by the handle 23. A plurality of stamp. ejecting openings 24 areprovided in the front wall of the casing 22, as hereinbefore stated, andas shown inFigure 2. One such opening is provided for each dispensingunit, whereby a-plurality of stamps of different. denominations may beejected from the machine, as shown in Figure 2.

Stamp dispensing unit The stamp dispensing units l 8 are alike inconstruction and operation, and but one will t erefore be described indetail. As best shown in Figures 4, 5. and 8, each dispensing unitcomprises spaced side plates 26 and 21, secured together by suitablecross shafts or rods 28, 28, 38, 3|, 32, 33, and a pair of spaced plates34 and 35: The plates 34 and 35 provide a support for a suitablesolenoid, generally designated by the numeral 36.

A suitable hopper'31 is mounted in the upper portion of the dispensingunit 10 adapted to support a roll of stamps 38. The stamp strip passesfrom the roll 38 over a pair of rollers 38 and 4| and downwardly througha guide 42 to a suitable feed roll 43 having rows of teeth 44 in itsperiphery adapted to be received in the perforations in the stamp strip.

The stamp strip is fed around the feed roll 43, and the dispensed end ofthe strip, represent ing the number of stamps sold ata salestransaction, are projected through one of the openings 24 in the frontwall of the casing, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The driving means for the feed roll is shown comprising a. ratchet wheel45, rotatably supported on the cross shaft 32 and having a gear wheel 48secured thereto which meshes with an idler gear 41. The idler gear 41meshes with a gear 48 provided at one end of the feed roll 43.

A plate 48 is mounted on the shaft 32 adjacent to the ratchet wheel 45,and has a dog 5| pivotally mounted thereon adapted to engage'the teethof theratchet, as shown in Figure 5, when the plate or arm 48 isactuated. The plate 48 has at its upper end, a pin 52 which is receivedin a slot 53 provided in an extension 54 of the armature 55 of thesolenoid36. Thus, when'the armature 55 is retracted by energization ofthe solenoid 36, the arm 48 will be removed from the position shown inFigure 4, to that shown in Figure 5,

thereby partially rotating the ratchet 45, whereby rotation iscommunicated to the feedroll 43 through the intermediate gear 41. Aspringactuated pawl 56 is mounted in the frame and engages the ratchet45 to prevent reverse movement thereof, as will readily be'understood byreference to Figures 4 and 5. From the for?- going, it will readily beunderstood that for each impulse of the solenoid 36, the feed roll willbe rotated a portion of a revolution sumcient to eject one stamp fromthe dispensingunit.

Feed 1011 locking means 3 Means is provided for locking the feed rollagainst reverse movement, during operation of the drive means.- Themeans provided for thus locking the feed roll against reverse movementis shown comprising a flexible member or arm 51 having a laterallyextending pin "at its upper end adapted to be received in a plurality ofrecesses 58, provided in theadjacent end "of the feed roll 43. Theflexible arm 51 has a hub 6| flxedto the stationary shaft 32, wherebythe pin 58 at'the upper end thereof will be maintained inualinement withthe recesses 58 in the feed r0 Means is provided for flexing the arm 51to ,head 65 is provided at one end of the element elongated opening orslot 53 permits the arma- 1 ture to actuate the element 62 before theplate or arm oscillated to operate the, dog 5I. Outward movement of thearmature is limited by a stop screw 69, shown received in the cross bar63, which supports the element 52. A spring 1I constantly urges the armor plate 49 into the position shown in Figure 4, whereby the arm orplate 49 is actuated against the tension of the spring, when thearmature is energized.

Suitable means, such as a counter, generally designated by the numeral",may be provided for recording the number of stamps dispensed. Thiscounter may be driven by a flexible drive element 13 from theshaft 14,to which the intermediate gear 41 is secured. As shown in Figures 4 and8, each solenoid 35 is provided with a pair of flexible contacts 15 and15, adapted to electrically engage the contacts II and I2, respectively,oi the guideways 9, as clearly illustrated in Figure 8. By thisarrangement; each time a dispensing unit is slid into one of theguideways of the base, as shown in Figures 7, and 8, the flexiblecontacts 15 and I5 thereof will electrically engage the contacts II andI2 of said guideway, whereby current may be supplied to the solenoid 34,thus mounted on the base.

Control mean:

In the apparatus as herein disclosed, the solenoids 36 provide the powermeans for actuating the dispensing units III. One such solenoid isprovided for each unit, whereby the units are eject one or more stampsfrom the machine.

The control unit comprises a single'control number 14,1111 the-tom ra-dia1, sec,ured to one end of a shaft 'I22 rotatably mounted insuitabletbearinssinot shown, provided in a support I231 FIhedial Iis-provided with suitable fingerreceiving openings I24, superimposing ashown, when the dial I94 is rotated by the oper- P ator. The shaft I22projects through the bottom wall of the support I23 and has a suitablespring I3I- coiled'jthereabout and. arranged to return the gear I21 toits normal position, against a suitable stop, not shown. 1 a

A small worm gear I32 is shown secured to the shaft I29 and meshes witha worm I33 fixed to the shaft I34. The shaft I34 is shown mounted insuitable bearings provided on the support I23. A suitable governor,generally indicated by the numeral I35 is provided at one end of theshaft I34, and acts to control the rotation thereof. A fixed contact I35is mounted on the support I23 in insulated relation thereto and has asuitable terminal screw I31 to which one end of a wire I38 is secured.The fixed contact I36 is adapted to be engaged by a movable contact I39,insulated from the fixed contact I36 and the support I23. The contactI39 has a terminal screw I which is shown connected by a wire I42 to aselector switch I43, having a movable contact arm I44 adapted to beselectively moved into engagement with a plurality of fixed contactsa-bc-d-e, shown in the wiring diagram (Figure 11).

The wire I33 which has one end connected to the terminal post I31, mayrepresent one of the wires of the flexible conductor 6, shown inFigure 1. The other wire or the conductor 6, indicated by the numeralI41, may be electrically connected to a terminal post I48, locatedwithin the support I23 of the control unit. The other ends of the wiresI38 and I41 are connected to the connecting plug 1, as shown inFigure-1.

Current is supplied to the solenoids 35 through the flexible cable 4,composed of wires 6, 1', 9', 9, III, and a wire I49, which leads fromthe terminal post I48. .The wires 5', 1', 3', 9', III connect thecontacts ab-cd-e oi the selector switch I43 to a plurality of sockets orconnecting elements I1''I9-I9'-2II2I', provided in the connecting plug 5of the cable 4. A wire I49 has one end connected to the terminal post;[48, and has a socket member I5 secured to its opposite end adapted toreceive the contact I5 of the wire I4. The wire I49 constitutes one ofthe wires of the flexible cable 4, as will readily be understood byreference to Figures 1 and 11. The sockets I5I1'--I8 -I9'-2II -2I areprovided in the plug 5, and are adapted to receive the contactsI5I1--I8--I920-2I, respectively, thereby to; electrically connect thecontrol unit to the machine, asshown in Figure 1.

.The means provided for successively closing the supply circuit to thesolenoid 35 of a selected dispensing unit, comprises a disk I58 securedto the shaft i29 and having diametrically opposed high points I64,adapted to engage a projecting end of the movable contact I39. The partsof the control mechanism, above described, are so arranged that eachtime the control unit or member I54 comes to rest, one of the highpoints of the disk I53 will be in engagement with the contactI'39,'wherebythe supply of current to the solenoid is cut rest.

ings I24 of the-dial I94, is such that the spacing between adjacentholes represents one-half revolution of the disk I53, whereby oneimpulse is obtained each time the dial is rotated at distancerepresenting the spacing between two adjacent holes. If the dial isrotated two or more holes, one or more impulses will be received,dependingupon the number otholes the dial is rotated. The specificconstruction of the control mechanism, shown in Figure 10, is more orless well known, and it is therefore thought unnecessary to hereinfurther describe the same in detail.

oil, whenever the machine is at The spacing between the finger receivingopen- 7 .to Figure 3.

to limit rotation of thedial by the operators finger, as will readily beunderstood by reference Casing or enclosing member Means is provided forenclosing the dispensing units I0, and, as shown in Figures 1 and 2,comprises a casing 22 provided with a suitable carrying handle 23. Thefront wall of the casing is provided with the stamp ejecting openings24,

as hereinbefore stated, through which the dispensed stamps are ejected,as shown in Figure 2.

Means is provided for locking the casing 12 to the base 8 whereby anunauthorized person cannot remove it for the purpose of unlawfully Anoperating member 84 is provided in the base for actuating the lockingbars. The member 84 may be operated by a suitable key member, not

, mined number oi stamps of a given denomination may be dispensed fromthe machine, in rapid succession, whereby the operation of dispensingthe stamps may be greatly expedited.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine fordispensing articles in varying quantities, a holderfor the articles, means for ejecting the articles from the machine, in-

"cluding an eiectric power device adapted to eject an article for eachimpulse thereof, a single control member adapted to control theoperation thereof, said control'member having a variable stroke, thelength of which determines the number of impulses produced by the powerdevice- .for each operation of the control member and ,vice, saidcircuitincluding a circuit closer adapted shown, through a key slotinthe base, whereby the locking bars 82, cannot be operated by anunauthorized person, as will readily be understood by reference toFigure 12.

Means is provided for preventing removal of the casing 22 from the basewhen the flexible cable 4 is electrically connected to the machine, asshown in Figure 1, should'an operator or attendant, inadvertently failto lock the casing to the baseby manipulation of the locking bars.The-means provided for thus preventing-removal of the casing from themachine is shown comprising a plate 86 secured to the plug 5 and to beactuated intermittently by movement of the control member and thereby tocause intermittent operation of the power device, whereby apredetermined number of articles are ejected from the machine. I d

' 2. A machine for selectively dispensing articles of different valuesin varying quantities, separate holders for the variant articles, anelectrically actuated article-ejecting mechanism for each holder, asingle control member for controlling the operation of thearticle-ejecting mechanisms, said control member having a variablestroke, the

length of which determines the number ofarticles ejected from themachine for each operation of the control member, means for selectivelyopera- 'tively connecting said control member through adapted tooperatively engage a pair of inwardly extending projections 81 which,for convenience,

may be provided-on the lower edge of the rear wall of the casing, asshown in Figure 9. When the plug 5 is electrically engaged withthecontacts I5-I'II8I9-2Iij2l, it will readily be seen that the casingcannot, be removed from the base, even though the locking bars I! may bein unlocked position, because the casing must be lifted upwardly toremove it from the base, which is prevented by the inwardly extendingprojections 81, when the plug 5 is engaged with the terminals I5-Il-I8i9-2Il2l'. The lower portion of the rear wall of the casing has anopening 88 adapted to receive the plug 5, as shown in Figure 9.

OPERATION In the operation of the machine herein disclosed, the flexiblecable 4, which may be or any desired length, is connected to themachine, as shown in Figure 1, and the conductor 6 connected to a sourceof electric energy. The machine is then ready for operation, and eachtime the dial is rotated, one of the units I II will dispense one ormore stamps, depending upon the degree of rotation of the dial I04. Theparticular denomination of the stamps dispensed is controlled bymanipulation of the selector switch I43. For example, if the selectorswitch I43 is positioned with its pointer at the numeral 2, as shown inFigure 3, 2 stamps will be dispensed from the machine when the dial is,operated. Any number of stamps from 1 to 10 may be dispensed in rapidsuccession, by a single manipulation of the dial I04. 'Thus, it will benoted that each time the dial is actuated, a predeteran electricalcircuit to a selected ejecting mechanism, said circuit including acircuit closer adapted to be actuated intermittently by movement of thecontrol member and thereby to cause intermittent actuation of thearticle-ejecting mechanism, whereby when the control member is operatedsaid selected ejecting mechanism will eject from the machine, apredetermined number of articles oi a given value. v

3. 'A machine for selectively dispensing articles of different values invarying quantities, separate holders for the variant articles, anelectricallyactuated article-ejecting mechanism for each holder, asingle control unit for said mechanisms located, remote from themachine, said control unit comprising a manually operable lever having avariable stroke, the length of which determines the number of articlesejected from the machine for each operation of the control member, and

means ior selectively operatively connecting said control unit throughan electrical circuit to a selected ejecting mechanism, said circuitincluding a circuit closer adapted to be actuated intermittently uponmovement of said lever and thereby to cause intermittent actuation ofthe articleejecting mechanism, whereby when the said lever is operated,said selected ejecting mechanism will eject from the machine, apredetermined n1... er of articles of a given value.

4. A machine for selectively dispensing articles of different values invarying quantities, separate holders. for the variant articles, anarticle-ejectin mechanism for each holder each having an independentelectric power device, a single control member for controlling'theoperation of said power devices, said control member having a variablestroke, thelength of which determines the number of articles ejectedfrom the machine for each operation of the control member, and means forselectively operatively connecting the control member through anelectric circuit to a selected power device, said circuit including acircuit closer adapted to be actuated intermittently upon movement ofthe oontrolmember and thereby to cause intermittent operation oi thepower device, whereby when the control member is actuated, a selectedejecting mechanism will eject from the machine, a predetermined numberof articles of a given value.

5. A stamp dispensing machine comprising a holder for stamp; strips inroll form, stamp-ejecting mechanism including a feed roll, an electricpower device for intermittently actuating said ejecting mechanism, saidejecting mechanism being adapted to eject a stamp for each impulse ofthe power device, a single control member, for controlling the operationof the power device, said control member having a variable stroke, thelength of which determines the number of articles ejected from themachine for each operation or the control member, a circuit connectingthe power device to the control member and comprising a circuit-closer,and means made operable by movement of the control member in onedirection, to actuate the circuit closer and cause intermittentoperation of the power device, whereby a predetermined number of stampsare ejected from the machine.

6. A stamp dispensing machine comprising a 'feed roll adapted to feed astamp strip, drive means for the feed roll, a solenoid forintermittently operating said drive means, a control dial comprising apair of normally open contacts electrically connected to the solenoidand a source of power, and means associated with the dial and adapted,upon rotation of the dial in one direction, to successively close saidcontacts, whereby the solenoid is intermittently energized to operatethe drive means, the number of impulsesproduced by the solenoiddetermining the number of stamps ejected from the machine by the feedroll.

7. A stamp dispensing machine comprising a feed roll adapted to feed astamp strip, means for driving the feed roll including a ratchetmechanism, a solenoid for intermittently operating the ratchetmechanism, a control dial comprising a pair of normally open contactselectrically connected to said solenoid and a source of power, meansassociated with the dial and adapted, upon rotation of the dial in onedirection, to successively close said contacts, whereby the solenoid isintermittently energized to operate the ratchet mechanism and feed roll,the number of impulses produced by the solenoid determining the numberof stamps ejected from the machine for each operation of the dial, andmeans for interrupting operation of the machine when all of the stampsare ejected therefrom.

8. A stamp dispensing machine comprising a feed roll adapted to feed astamp strip, drive means for the feed roll, a power device for operatingthe drive means, a control unit comprising a manually operable dial anda pair of normally open contacts electrically connected to the powerdevice and a source of power, and a circuit closer made operable byreverse movement of the dial, to successively close said contacts,whereby the power device is intermittently actuated to operate the drivemeans and therefore the feed roll, one stamp being ejected by the feedroll for each impulse of the power device, and the number of stampsejected from the machine for each operation of the dial, being dependentupon the degree of rotation of the dial by the operator.

9. A machine for dispensing stamps in varying quantities, comprising aframe having a guideway therein, a composite article dispensing unitremovably supportedin said guideway, a power device in said unit, powertransmission means in the base, means for operatively connecting thepower device of the dispensing unit to said power transmission means,when the dispensing unit is positioned in the guideway, and a controlunit adapted to be connected to said power transmission means forcontrolling the operation 01' the dispensing unit.

10. A machine for dispensing stamps in varying quantities, comprising abase member having a guideway therein, an electric circuit in the basemember having means for connecting it to a source of electric energy,said circuit having a pair of contacts located in said guideway, acomposite article dispensing unit removably supported on said guideway,an electric power device in said dispensing unit comprising a pair ofcontacts adapted to electrically engage the contacts in the guideway,when the dispensing unit is positioned therein, and means forcontrolling the supply of current to said circuit, thereby to controlthe operation of the dispensing unit.

11. A machine for dispensing stamps of varying denominations, a basehaving a plurality of guideways therein, a plurality of dispensing unitsinterchangeably supported in said guideways, each unit comprising astamp ejecting mechanism and an electric power device therefor, eachpower device having a pair of contacts, a plurality of electric circuitsin the base, one for each guideway, and each circuit having a pair ofcontacts located in a guideway and adapted to be engaged by the contactsof the dispensing unit supported therein, and an electrically operatedcontrol member common to all of said circuits and having means forselectively connecting it to the circuit of a selected dispensing unit,whereby said units may be selectively operated to dispense stamps ofdifferent denominations and in varying quantities.

12. A machine for dispensing stamps of different denominations invarying quantities, comprising a base member having a plurality ofguideways .therein, composite dispensing units interchangeably supportedin said guideways, each of said units comprising a stamp ejectingmechanism and an electric power device for operating said mechanism, aplurality of circuits within said base, one for each dispensing unit,means whereby each unit is electrically connected to one of saidcircuits, when positioned in a guideway, a control unit common to all ofsaid circuits and comprising. a single control member and a circuitcloser, a flexible conduit for electrically connecting the control unitto the circuits in the base member, and a selector switch on the controlunit for electrically connecting the circuit of a selected dispensingunit to the control member, whereby said dispensing units may beselectively operated to dispense stamps of different denominations, invarying quantities.

13. In a machine for dispensing stamps of difierent denominations invarying quantities, a base member having a plurality of guidewaystherein,

-a plurality of composite dispensing units interchangeably supportedinsaid guideways, a plugage said contacts, and whereby the control unitmay be located remote from the dispensing machine, means on the controlunit for selectively electrically connecting said dispensing unitsthereto, whereby said dispensing units may be selectively operated todispense stamps oi different denominations in varying quantities, and acasing enclosing the dispensing units.

14. In a machine for dispensing stamps of diff erent denominations invarying quantities, a base member having a plurality of guidewaystherein, a plurality of composite dispensing units interchangeablysupported in said guideways, a plurality of electric circuits in thebase having means for electrically connecting them to the dispensingunits, when the latter are positioned in said guideways, said circuitshaving a plurality of contacts, a control unit having a flexible cableprovided with a plug adapted to electrically engage said contacts, andwhereby the control unit may be located remote from the dispensingmachine, means on the control unit for selectively electricallyconnecting said dispensing units thereto, whereby said dispensing unitsmay be selectively operated to dispense stamps of differentdenominations in varying quantities, a casing enclosing said dispensingunits, and means whereby when the flexible cable of the control unit isconnected to the dispensing machine, said casing cannot be removed fromthe base.

15. In a machine for dispensing articles in varying quantities, a holderfor the articles, electrically actuated means including a pawl andratchet mechanism for ejecting the articles from the machine, a controlmember for controlling the operation of the article-ejecting means, saidcontrol member having a variable stroke, the

length of whichdetermines the number of articles ejected from themachine for each operation of the control member, and a circuitconnecting the control member to the article-ejecting means and,comprising a circuit closer adapted to be actuated intermittently bymovement of the control memher and thereby to cause intermittentactuation of the article-ejecting means whereby a'predetermined numberof articles are ejected from the machine.

16. In a machine for dispensing articles in strip form in varyingquantities, a holder for the articles, a feed roll for electing thearticles from the machine, an electric power device adapted to partiallyrotate the feed roll and eject an article for each impulse thereof; acircuit adapted to supply current to said power device, a circuit closerin said circuit, and a remote control unit including a rotatable dialand means, associated with the dial, adapted upon rotation to the dialto successively operate said circuit closer to closed position wherebythe power device is intermittently operated to partially rotate saidfeed roll.

HARRY C. STEARNS.

